Pampanga, CL business remain bullish for 2017

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO— The prospects for investment and development in Pampanga and the rest of Central Luzon remain optimistic as the recent development programs set for the region and the great influx of private sector investment will propel the local regional economy into much more unprecedented heights.

This was the projection of Pampanga Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (PamCham) Vice-Chairman Rene Romero who said that the big ticket projects like the Green City Project and the proposed speed train from Manila to Clark and other development programs in the neighboring provinces are clear signs of government attention into the region.

Romero said that the private sector should be credited for the even further greater developments in the town’s and cities, especially in Pampanga where there have been an unprecedented growth in the shopping mall industry, with big players building malls left and right of the province. There has also been an increase economic activity in the province’s food, retail and manufacturing sectors.

However, Romero is worried that local governments are not preparing enough for the inevitable downside of commercial activity. He said that the province’s roads and transport systems remain the same and obviously unprepared for the ever increasing vehicular and human traffic. He added that while the province may reap the benefits of a thriving local economy, it may eventually suffer the urban economic ills of Metro Manila due to poor urban planning and lack of foresight of local government officials.

But on a general sense, Romero sees a bright future for local businesses in Pampanga with most locals reaping the benefits of more job opportunities, greater access to commercial resources and better living standards.

“However, we need to be prepared. Government should prepare the infrastructures and facilities needed to cope with the development,” Romero said.